Impulse switching and control mechanism



NOV. 13, P E F sc ET AL 2,388,733

IMPULSE SWITCHING AND CONTROL MECHANISM Filed July 21, 1942 I1 YN VEN TORQ Pau/ 5365/67.

Patented Nov. 13, 1945 IMPULSE SWITCHING AND CONTROL MECHANISM Paul E. Fischler and John Nathansohn, Bufialo, N. Y.

Application July 21, 1942, Serial No. 451,804

2 Claims.

Our present invention relates to an improved impulse switching and control mechanism adapted for use particularly in remote control operation for various devices.

According to the present disclosure, the invention is especially adapted for use with torpedoes operated and controlled from a remote station. The remote station may, of course, be located either on the land, in the air, or on a vessel.

Obviously the control mechanism and circuits hereinafter described more specifically may well be employed in any device where remote control is suitable or desirable.

The invention consists generally in a radio impulse transmitter from which the impulse is received by the remote object, whichin our embodiment is, a torpedo. The receiving object contains a super-regenerative detector tube, from which emanates the audio impulses. These audio or A. C. impulses are then amplified. The amplified A. C. current impulses may be rectified into D. C. currents if desired, and in the present embodiment we prefer such impulses.

These D. C. impulses actuate a series of relays with their independent current source, and the relays in turn motivate means for operating a multiple contact switch. From this switch through the various circuits, the motor of the torpedo is controlled, and the vertical and hori zontal rudders or fins may be shifted as may be necessary to direct the torpedo toward its objective.

In the accompanying drawing we have illustrated one complete embodiment of the physical construction of our invention according to the best mode we have thus far devised, but it will be understood that changes and alterations may be made in the exemplified structure within the scope of the appended claims.

The single figure is a diagrammatic view showing the electric circuits, relays, and associated elements comprising the control circuit. I

Reference is now had to the single figure of the drawing. This figure shows the circuits comprising the invention, it being understood that the sending and receiving circuits to be used therewith are substantially conventional.

In the selector and control circuits we employ a ratchet wheel l8 having fixed thereon a switch arm I9. The ratchet wheel is rotated by means of a pawl 20, one step for each impulse received. The pawl 20 is attracted by energization of relay 2 I, the circuit for which is closed upon operation of contact 22 under control of the relay receiving the D. C. impulse.

Simultaneously with the actuation of relay 2|, contact 22' of relay ll operates relay 23 which opens contact 24 and the first movement of the pawl 20 closes contact 25. One-quarter second after impulses stop, relay 23 returns to normal, closing contact 24, thereby completing circuit through contact 25, actuating relay 26 to rock pawl 21 and release the wheel, which returns to neutral position and again opens contact 25. Battery 28 supplies current for these relays and the relays 3|, 4|, 5|, 6|, H, and H respectively- The switch arm I9 is adapted to rotate with the wheel and to contact successively contacts 30, 4!], 5c, 60, and 10. These contacts are electrically connected respectively with relays 3|, 4|, 5|, SI, and 7|, (only five relays necessary for torpedo control). These relays are successively energized as the switch arm [9 moves over the contacts 35, 49, 5E), 69 and 10. As the ratchet wheel I8 is revolved in a clockwise direction, a circuit is momentarily closed from the battery 28 through pawl 21, ratchet wheel l8, switch arm I9, and one of the contacts 38, 40, 50, or 10, to the relay 3|, 4|, 5|, 6! or ll associated therewith.

The control contacts of relays 4|, 5:, 6|,and

H are shown in the circuit and selectively control the motor relay H, or the motor relay H and one of the solenoids Si, 92, or 93.

The motor M with its power circuit and battery 94 is the driving means for the torpedo. Solenoids 9| and 92 in this circuit are geared to the vertical rudders and when energized, solenoid 9| moves the rudders to the right, and solenoid 92 moves the rudders to the left. Solenoid 93 in the said circuit is geared to the horizontal rudders and when energized actuates the horizontal rudders.

When the relay i1 is energized by an impulse, the contacts 22 and 22 are attracted to the relay and their respective circuits are closed. Contact 22 closes the circuit from the battery 28 to energize the relay 2|. Contact 22' energizes relay 23.

Relay 23, when energized, opens the contact 24 and this relay is so constructed as to operate on the first impulse and to continue to hold so long as impulses continue and for one-quarter second thereafter.

Immediately upon cessation of impulses, following the one-quarter second delay, relay 23 releases and closes contact 24 for purposes as will be hereinafter set forth. The transmitted impulse time is at the rate of ten per second and relays 4|, 5|, SI, and II are designed for a onefifth second delay on pull in.

Energization of relay 2| attracts an arm mechanically connected to pawl 20. This pawl is operable upon the ratchet Wheel |8 to rotate the same, and every impulse imparted to the relay 2| will impart one clockwise step to the ratchet wheel.

For clarity of explanation, a single circuit will now be described, it being understood that relay 3| is energized by passage of switch arm i9 over contact 33, this instantly opens contact 32, and breaks the holding circuits to relays 4|, 5|, 6|, and H and instantly releases any one of these relayswhich has been locked-in by a previous operation. Contact 33 keeps the holding circuit to relay 4| closed, unless switch arm 19 pauses on contact 53, and relay 5| pulls in. The same function is performed by contacts 33 and 53 in connection with relays 5|.and 3| respectively.

From the above it will be clearthat the first impulse of a series causes relay 3| to open contact 32 and release any one of the relays 4|, 5|, 6| and 1| which have been locked in by a previous series of impulses, two impulses control circuit to motor relay I-I, three impulses close another control circuit to solenoid 9| and motor relay H and so on. The last impulse of the series allows the arm l9 to pause on the selected contact 49, 5|], 6|] or 10 for second until the delayed release of relay 23 closes the contact 23, completing a circuit from the battery 28 through contact 25 to relay 25, which, when energized, releases pawl 27 and allows ratchet wheel i8 to return to neutral position.

With a one impulse signal transmitted and received, the spring returned ratchet wheel I8 rotated onestep. This moves the contact arm i3 to the first connector 33. With the switch arm I9 on connector 38 the circuit is closed to relay 3|. Relay 3| attracts contact 32 and opens the circuit from the battery 28. By thus opening the contact 32 and breaking the holding circuit through contacts 33-33, 33- 33, 53-43 and 63, any one of the relays held in by a previous operation is released and the circuit cleared for the following sequence. It will be perceived that relay 3| operates upon the initial impulse of any sequenc and immediately releases to close the circuit through that point.

' Proceeding now with the illustrative circuit, relay 2| operates actuating pawl 20. This movement closes contact 25 preparatory to energizing relay 26 t release pawl 21.

Upon receipt of the second impulse, the energization of relays 2| and 23 is repeated and the arm I9 now contacts contact 40. The circuit is then closed to relay 4| and the holding contact 33 is closed, simultaneously closing contact 34 in the motor relay H circuit.

Through the closing of the main or live wire 95, the circuit is completed to battery 94 which operates the motor M to'drive the torpedo. It will be apparent, it is believed, that any number of impulses from 2 to 5 transmitted will continue to operate the motor through contacts 34, 44, 54, or 64.

When the contact arm is, upon receipt of a higher sequence of impulses, moved to 50, 60, or 10, the solenoids 9|, 92', or 93 are actuated through their respective circuits and contacts 45, 55, 65, and the horizontal or vertical rudders are changed as desired, relay H through contacts 34, 44, 54, or 34 holding motor circuit closed.

Relays 4|, 5|, 6|, and I are designed for onefifth second delay on contact actuation. Motor relay H is designed for one-quarter second delay on release, and with relay 23 holds for onequarter second after the last impulse has been received and Passed. The control relay associated with the connector on which the switch arm l9 stops pulls in during the time delay between the last impulse and release of relay 23, and the. control relay is then locked in by contacts 33-33, 43-43, 5353, or 63. Likewise, relay H holds in during the travel of switch arm is from connector 40 to connector 50, 6G, or 10.

Resetting of the device is automatically accomplished by the contact 24 of relay 23, closing the circuit to relay 2%, through contact 25 onequarter second after the last impulse, thus releasing pawl 21 and allowing the switch arm IE) to release and return to neutral position. Simultaneously, the circuit from battery 28 to switch arm I9 is opened by pawl 21, preventing energization of non-selected control relays as arm |9 returns to neutral position.

Opening energizing circuit to switch arm or wiper I9 as it returns to neutral position also prevents operation of relay 3|. It must be borne in mind that relay 3| is fast acting while control relays 4|, 5|, 6| and 1| are designed for one fifth of a second delay on pull-in. If energizing circult to switch arm |9 remains closed as it returns to neutral, the control relays would not normally operate because of their delayed action, but relay 3| would be actuated and the control function set up would be released through opening of contacts 32. For this reason it is necessary to open the energizing circuit to switch arm l9 as it returns to neutral position.

It will be seen that the system provides a method of releasing a control function immediately before establishing a new function as operation of relay 3|, on the first impulse of any group of impulses, opens control relay 4|, 5|, 3| or H holding circuit through contact 32. It should be understood that this method eliminates the necessity of transmitting a separate release signal and consequently a control function can be released and a new one set up in a fraction of a second. In applications involving the control of fast moving objects, for instance, a torpedo, such a method is absolutely essential.

Pawl 21 of release magnet 26 opens the connection from 28 to arm I9, thereby preventin the energizing of clearing relay 3| as arm It returns to neutral position. This function is necessary to prevent contacts 32 of relay 3| from opening locking circuits to selected control relay 4|, 5|, 6| or 1|. In this manner a series of impulses selects a desired control relay which remains locked in until a second series of impulses is transmitted. The purpose of having a succeeding relay of group 4|, 5|, BI and 'II open the locking circuit of its preceding relay is to provide double assurance that only the selected control relay will be locked in.

Through the utilization of our invention a simple remote control may be accomplished without the usual disadvantages of delicately adjusted parts, and a rugged, dependable control system is presented. Mechanical or electrical re-cycling or resetting of the device is eliminated by the automatic resetting operation, and the utilization of relay 3| obviates the necessity of the usual timing relay or motor.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A selective system responsive to differentseries of impulses of different number in each series, comprising a plurality of slow to operate relays, a fast operating relay, each of said slow to operate relays having means for closing a locking circuit for its relay when it is operated and the fast operating relay having means for opening the locking circuits of the slow to operate relays when the fast operating relay is operated, a movable switch arm and cooperating contacts, a circuit connection from one of said contacts to the fast operating relay whereby it will operate when the movable switch arm moves over said one contact, circuit connections from succeeding contacts to respective said slow to operate relays, means responsive to individual impulses of a series for moving said movable arm for each impulse a step over said contacts to thereby operate said fast to operate relay in response to any series of impulses and operate one of said slow to operate relays corresponding to the contact engaged by the movable arm at the end of the series of impulses, means operative a predetermined period after the termination of the series of impulses to return said arm over the contacts to normal position and means operative during the return movement to render fast operative relay inoperative when the arm engages the contact corresponding to the fast operating relay upon its return movement.

2. A selective system responsive to different series of impulses of different number in each series, comprising a fast operating relay, a plurality of slow to operate relays, each of said slow to operate relays having means for closing a locking circuit for its coil circuit when it is operated and the fast operating relay having means for opening the locking circuits of the slowto operate relays when the fast operating relay is operated, a movable switch arm and cooperating contacts, a circuits connection from one of said contacts to the fast operating relay whereby it will operate when the movable switch arm passes over said one contact, circuit connections from succeeding contacts to respective said slow to operate relays, means responsive to individual impulses of a series for moving said movable switch armfor each impulse a step over said contacts to thereby operate said fast to operate relay in response to the first impulse of any series of impulses and to operate the slow to operate relay connected to the contact engaged at the last impulse of any series of impulses, means operative a predetermined period after the termination of the series of impulses to return said switch arm over the contacts to normal position and means operative during the return movement t render all relays inoperative.

PAUL E. FISCHLER. JOHN NATHANSOHN. 

